The second edition of the HOA Mentorship Session has come and gone, but the message it left behind is one organisers hope will outlive the event itself: leadership is earned through character, not claimed through title — and for once, the mentorship talk came with real money attached.
Held under the theme “Leading with Purpose: Mentoring the Next Generation of Transformational Leaders,” the programme pulled together young people, political office holders, professionals and community figures for a day of frank conversation on leadership, self-development and the doors currently open to Nigerian youth. The biggest talking point, however, came when loans and grants under the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) were awarded to Igbogbo youth residents present at the event — turning the mentorship session into a direct economic empowerment moment for the community.
“Invest In Young People” — Aroyewun
Setting the tone for the day, Executive Chairman of Igbogbo-Baiyeku LCDA, Omo’ba Hammed Olalekan Aroyewun, framed the entire initiative as a long-term investment rather than a one-off gathering. His opening remarks centred on a simple formula: character as the foundation, competence as the reinforcement, and conduct as the proof.
He pushed back on the idea that leadership requires a position, telling the mentees that it actually starts much smaller — with noticing a problem, in your family, your workplace or your street, and doing something about it. Insecurity, unemployment, a struggling economy and poor infrastructure, he argued, are exactly the kind of problems that demand leaders willing to think clearly, act with courage and still keep their integrity intact.
His advice to the young crowd was equally direct: listen more than you speak, ask questions without fear, and don’t be afraid to respectfully challenge the people ahead of you — that’s how the baton gets passed properly.
“Start Your Company Now” — Benson’s Charge To The Youth
Hon. Babajimi Adegoke Benson, who represents Ikorodu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, used his time as Special Guest to widen the conversation beyond politics entirely. His core message: don’t wait for public office to matter — build something, and build it now.
Benson reached for the biblical parable of the talents to drive the point home — recalling how a master gave five talents to one servant, two to another and just one to a third, and how the servants who multiplied what they were given prospered while the one who buried his talent was left with nothing. His takeaway for the room: don’t let your ability sit dormant, and don’t make everything about politics.
He pointed to Hon. Obasa as living proof of the principle, noting that Obasa had already built a successful path for himself long before becoming a local government chairman. “If you do not elevate yourself, nobody would elevate you,” Benson told the mentees, adding that he makes a point of consistently supporting talented young people because he wants everyone around him to succeed. He also shared a cautionary story of helping a young man land a good job, only for the beneficiary to come back and say he couldn’t afford the transport fare to get to work — a reminder, Benson said, that self-development has to be paired with basic self-sufficiency.
Widening the lens, Benson broke down what he called the three “I’s” separating developed nations from developing ones: Instruments (constitutions and laws), Institutions (the structures every country has), and Individuals (the patriotic people who actually run those institutions properly and use the instruments wisely). He put the youths on the spot, asking directly how many of them had registered a company, and used the moment to push his central charge — register your company now, put your talents to work, and understand that young people can succeed as professionals and entrepreneurs without ever going into politics. He went on to call for the programme to become a recurring fixture, pushing for a “3.0” edition and urging other local governments to adopt the model so more young people can benefit.
Meranda: “Position Gives You Authority, Purpose Gives You Direction”
The day’s keynote came from Rt. Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, who delivered arguably the sharpest reframe of the session — challenging young people to rethink what leadership actually means.
“Position gives you authority, purpose gives you direction, character gives you credibility and service gives you leadership,” Meranda told the mentees, urging them to stop asking “What position do I want?” and start asking “What problem am I prepared to solve?” Transformational leaders, she argued, are defined not by the offices they hold but by the difference they make.
She also offered her own definition of mentorship — describing it as a deliberate transfer of experience, values, transparency and opportunity from one generation to the next — and noted that a good mentor doesn’t just tell a mentee what they want to hear, but challenges them to think harder, equips them to make better decisions, and sometimes opens doors they couldn’t open themselves.
Her charge rested on four pillars: competence, character, accessibility and purpose. She urged the mentees to protect their values even when shortcuts look tempting, to read and keep learning, and to stay alert to problems they’re positioned to solve.
Perhaps her most memorable image was leadership as a relay race — every leader only holds the baton for a season, and the real test isn’t how well you run your leg, but whether you hand it off to someone better equipped to keep going. As she put it, a leader who builds only a position leaves nothing behind; a leader who builds people leaves a legacy. She closed by encouraging the young leaders in the room to stop waiting for “the future” — reminding them they’re already shaping it.
More Voices, Same Thread
Speaking separately, Hon. Abdul Ganiyu Vinod Obasa, Chairman of Agege Local Government, echoed Benson’s call for youths to look past politics and build value for themselves. He tied this to Nigeria’s broader potential, referencing the country’s shift from a 5,000-megawatt to a 25,000-megawatt power economy as a sign of the scale of opportunity ahead — provided young people are willing to collaborate, work hard and keep developing their skills.
Speaking after his panel session, Obasa also commended the leadership of Igbogbo-Baiyeku LCDA for its attention to youth development, describing Executive Chairman Aroyewun as a valuable leader to the community for backing programmes capable of positively impacting young people. He reiterated that young Nigerians do not have to become politicians before contributing meaningfully to the country’s development, pointing to the numerous fields in which they can excel.
Beyond the keynote messages, panelists at the session also stressed the importance of consistency, self-belief and self-awareness as a key part of emotional intelligence — urging youths not to look down on themselves but to understand their own capabilities and build the confidence to demonstrate them. They added that leadership is built over time and encouraged young people to embrace volunteering as a way to gain experience and prepare for greater responsibility.
Inside The Panel Room
Beyond the keynote addresses, a packed panel session gave attendees direct access to a cross-section of professionals and public figures, including:
• Dr. Muritala Seriki (APC Candidate, LAHA Kosofe II)
• Damilare Orimoloye (SSA to the Governor on Sports)
• Dr. Adeleke Dankuwo (President, Igbogbo Youth Forum)
• Opeyemi Seidu (Real Estate Expert)
• Hon. Abdul Ganiyu Vinod Obasa (Chairman, Agege LG)
• Enitan Jessica Oba (Council Leader, Ikorodu West LCDA)
• Engr. Gbenga Ogunlewe (Director, Mechanical Department, LASRIC)
• Tolulope Fani (Community Stakeholder)
The panel format opened up real dialogue on career growth, entrepreneurship, public service and the practical steps young people can take to access existing opportunities.
Empowerment And Recognition For The Change-Makers
Beyond the awards, the LSETF loans and grants disbursed to Igbogbo youth residents gave the session a tangible, wallet-level impact — a rare instance of mentorship talk translating into direct financial support on the same day.
The session also closed with awards presented across the board — to the keynote speakers, Hon. Babajimi Adegoke Benson, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda and Hon. Abdul Ganiyu Vinod Obasa, as well as every member of the panel, including Dr. Muritala Seriki, Damilare Orimoloye, Dr. Adeleke Dankuwo, Opeyemi Seidu, Enitan Jessica Oba, Engr. Gbenga Ogunlewe and Tolulope Fani — honouring their contributions to youth development, leadership and community service across Lagos State.
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